Question on truck step rails...

I've figured out darn near everything over the years doing this, and of course with some help from you folks too, but wanted to ask the group if you have any tips for keeping truck/SUV step rails clean for final customer presentation.
Especially the one's that deploy on door opening.

It gets cleaned during the job but i never dress them. NOT a good idea for the slip hazard. I have to inevitably use them for the interior...in and out...and then it gets another wipedown after the last time out but they never look perfect again like they did maybe 2 hours ago!

Any tips?

After your initial cleaning, you know, the 2 hours ago clean, cover them with a terry cloth towel, especially the areas that will be stepped upon in the next 2 hours. Maybe a little tape to hold them in place. Then when you are completely finished and you step out of the vehicle for the last time, remove the terry cloth covers.

It sounds like the main reason they look perfect to begin with is because they’re wet? Otherwise I’m not sure why the final wipedown doesn’t get them back to looking good?

Me personally I use Hyper Dressing on those step rails that are found on Chevy Silverados. I apply it with the same brush I apply tire dressing on. Never had a problem.

Cleaning them with APC gets them clean, but then they dry and don’t look so great.

Thanks Eldo and 2black.

Yup, surprised I didn't think of covering them and really only on one side. I do lay something in the driver's footwell if I deliver. I need to just keep that clean getting out and use it to wipedown.

I should have said "no slippery dressings" as a safety precaution. I DO like coating them and not bothering with them after the dry and blow with later maint. washes

Thanks both!

And, as if it's not easy enough to figure out I was actually looking for something super easy...borderline stoopid...to get outta this FL heat after working anywhere from 2-8 hours!

I used Megs 39/40 to clean my dads running boards. Worked very well because they were chrome and plastic. Some of the Collinite 850 metal polish got on the plastic since I wasn’t going to tape off that much plastic but the Megs 39/40 cleaned that right off and didn’t leave them slippery. Running boards on his truck looked looked like new.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/galle...A4CF1433E.jpeg

Now those are some nice lookin' step rails!

I agree. Put a towel on the step rails just like we all do on fresh floor mats.